City Tours in Cartagena

Hop on – Hop off Tour:

This is a tour in a legendary city with over 450 year of history, Cartagena de Indias. The tour narrates the historical secrets of the city walls, buildings and narrow cobbled streets . You have the flexibility to plan your time in Cartagena , for shopping, sightseeing or just explore the city at your own pace .

City Trolley Tour:

This is a unique way to see the main sights of Cartagena Colombia aboard a luxury antique motor trolley! Enjoy a guided, complete tour of both the Old Town and New Town Cartagena in style.

City Tour in Chiva:

Four hours on a bus might seem a little overwhelming, but I recommend the Chiva Afternoon historical tours as the best-value way to see the main tourist attractions of Cartagena including the San Felipe Fort, the monastery at La Popa, the giant boots, the bays of Bocagrande and Manga and the grand houses of El Cabrero.

Sitios Turisticas

The Castle San Felipe de Barajas:

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. It was built by the Spanish during the colonial era. Construction began in the year 1536, and it was originally known as the Castillo de San Lázaro, It was expanded in 1657.

The Convento de la Popa:

On a 150m-high hill, the highest point in Cartagena, stands this convent. A beautiful image of La Virgen de la Candelaria, the patroness of the city, is in the convent's chapel, and there's a charming flower-filled patio. The views from here are outstanding and stretch all over the city.

The Historical Center of Cartagena de Indias:

Situated in a bay in the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena has the most extensive fortifications in South America. A system of zones divides the city into three neighbourhoods: San Pedro, with the cathedral and many Andalusian-style palaces; San Diego, where merchants and the middle class lived; and Gethsemani, the 'popular quarter'.

The Clock Tower:

The principal entrance of the old city of Cartagena de Indias is made by the tour of the Public Clock. At first, the clock tour had only one arch to enter, the middle one. Originally, the door had a weapon room and a chapel in the interior and was replaced by two other arches in the XVIII century. - See more at: http://www.cartagena-indias.com/en/Places/clock.html#sthash.iXbrWBax.dpuf

The Gate and Clock Tower (“la Puerta y la Torre del Reloj”) can be seen at the main entrance of the walled city. Of the three open doors there, only the central one existed originally; the other two were occupied by a gunroom and a chapel. In 1874, a clock was brought from the United States, and 63 years later it was replaced by the current clock, imported from Switzerland.

Officially the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (Spanish: Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa Catalina de Alejandría), is located in the historic centre of Cartagena. It is the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Cartagena de Indias, one of the oldest episcopal sees in the Americas. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

The Church of Santo Domingo:

It is the oldest church in Cartagena de Indias. It was founded in 1551 and its construction, which started at the end of the XVIth century was very accidented. Highlighted on its facade are the two bodies main entrance, the superior with less height containing an image of Santo Domingo on the center and two lateral windows, also the convex frieze.

The Plaza de la Aduana:

This is the largest and oldest square in the old town and was used as a parade ground. In colonial times, all the important governmental and administrative buildings were here. The old Royal Customs House was restored and is now the City Hall. A statue of Christopher Columbus stands in the center of the square.

The Plaza de Bolivar:

This cozy, shaded square sits in the heart of Cartagena’s historic Walled City and is a haven for travelers and locals alike. There are plenty of benches and places to sit under the shade of trees to escape the heat of the day while exploring Cartagena. The Plaza de Bolivar is also the perfect spot to see and hear traditional dance and music displayed by local artists while you rest.

The Plaza de los Coches:

Previously known as Plaza de la Yerba, the triangular plaza just behind Puerta del Reloj was once used as a market for enslaved people. It is lined with old balconied houses with colonial arches at ground level. The arcaded walkway, known as El Portal de los Dulces, is today lined with confectionery stands selling local sweets. The statue of the city's founder, Pedro de Heredia, is in the middle of the plaza.

The Plaza Fernandez Madrid:

In the surrounding area you will find Santo Toribio Church, the last church built in the walled city, and next to it, Fernandez de Madrid Square, in honor of Cartagena’s hero Jose Fernandez de Madrid, whose statue can be seen here.

Statue of India Catalina:

The monument at the main entrance to the old town from the mainland is a tribute to the Carib people, the group that inhabited this land before the Spanish Conquest. The lovely bronze statue depicts Catalina, a beautiful Carib woman who served as interpreter to Pedro de Heredia upon the arrival of the Spaniards. The statue was forged in 1974 by Eladio Gil, a Spanish sculptor living in Cartagena.

The Heredia Adolfo Mejia Theater:

is located in the city's historical downtown and inaugurated in 1905. This theater was inspired by the iconic theaters in Italy. It can welcome an audience of up to 650 spectators.

Museums:

The Palace of Inquisition:

Also known as the Inquisition Palace, (Spanish: Palacio de la Inquisición) is an eighteenth-century the seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in Cartagena, now in modern Colombia. Finished around 1770, it currently serves as a museum showcasing the torture equipment used, as well as other historical artifacts. it faces the Parque de Bolívar.

Gold Museum:

Inaugurated by Banco de La República, in 1982 it opens its doors to the public in Cartagena de Indias with a collection of gold and ceramic of the main pre columbian cultures. The Gold Museum is located in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, within the walled sector, Plaza de Bolivar.

The Naval Museum of the Caribbean:

Is a permanent exhibitions relating to: the Military Naval History of Cartagena de Indias, Universal Navigation, the Colombian Navy, including current times. Plus exhibitions representing the Colonial and early Republican periods.

The Modern Art Museum:

Housing a small but important collection of historical works by artist, Alejandro Obregon and Enrique Grau, Cartagena's Museum of Modern Art is an essential pit-stop for culture vultures looking to savour the Caribbean influence on Colombian art. Founded in 1959 in a former Customs House on the corner of Plaza San Pedro de Claver, the museum keeps its permanent collection on the ground floor and holds temporary exhibitions upstairs.

Excursiones:

Rosario Islands:

Considered a marvel of nature, the Rosario Islands are a beautiful place to visit when you come to Cartagena. The natural landscapes, the crystal clear waters and the coral formations show a unique ecosystem in the world. The coral reefs host a great variety of sea fauna and flora, with abundance of colorful fish, corals and plants. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving are ideal activities in the Islands, click here to see Dive schools. The archipelago Islas del Rosario is comprised of 30 islands that are within the municipality of Cartagena. The Natural Park has an area of 4633 sq. miles of water and ocean floor.

Volcano Totumo:

Escape Cartagena for the day and discover the healing powers of the mud baths at Totumo Volcano! Climb up and inside this small volcano and dive into the natural mud that lies within. This is a rejuvenating Colombian experience you won't forget!

Botanical Garden:

It is a relaxing place where people can enjoy the beautiful park, has natural representations of deserts, rainforest and tropical forests, it has warm climate because is located on Turbaco mountains. The botanic garden was created in order to preserve the fauna and the flora of Caribbean region. It has paths, 2000 meters of native forest. It is located in Turbaco municipality, 30 minutes away from the town. The herbarium has more than 12600 specimens, duly ordered and preserved.

Explore the Mangrove Forest by canoe:

La Boquilla is an old fishing village located twenty minutes north of the city, where the people are as warm and easy-going as they are in the rest of Cartagena. Getting off and breathing in the salt air at the last stop of the city bus line (or getting out of a taxi) you find yourself on a stretch of beach situated on a narrow peninsula flanked by the Caribbean Sea on one side and the "Ciénaga de la Virgen" – a large lake and mangrove swamp – on the other.